What are medical terms used in ER to help patient breathe?

Several medical terms used in emergency room (ER) settings to assist patients with breathing difficulties include:

1. Oxygen Therapy:

- Supplemental Oxygen: Providing additional oxygen to the patient through a nasal cannula, face mask, or oxygen tent to increase their oxygen levels.

- Pulse Oximetry: A non-invasive method to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation levels through a finger probe.

2. Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV):

- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A non-invasive ventilation technique that delivers continuous positive pressure to the lungs, helping to improve oxygenation.

- Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP): A type of NIV that provides different levels of pressure during inhalation and exhalation.

3. Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation:

- Endotracheal Intubation: Insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to assist in breathing.

- Mechanical Ventilation: Use of a ventilator to support and control a patient's breathing when spontaneous breathing is inadequate.

4. Respiratory Medications:

- Bronchodilators: Drugs that relax the muscles of the airways, such as albuterol, to ease breathing.

- Steroids: Anti-inflammatory medications like dexamethasone, used to reduce airway inflammation and improve breathing.

5. Chest Physiotherapy:

- Percussion: Gentle clapping on the chest to help loosen and mobilize secretions from the airways.

- Postural Drainage: Positioning the patient's body to facilitate the drainage of secretions from different lung segments.

6. Nebulization: Administration of aerosolized medications through a nebulizer machine to deliver them directly to the lungs.

7. Lung Recruitment Maneuvers: Techniques like recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be employed to improve lung expansion and oxygenation.

8. Capnography: Monitoring the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled breath to assess respiratory function.

9. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis: Blood test that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in arterial blood to evaluate respiratory status.

Understanding and effectively utilizing these medical terms is crucial for healthcare professionals working in ER settings to provide appropriate respiratory care and treatment for patients with breathing difficulties.